Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1887-08-26
CONVINCING TESTIMONY.

into effect In Atlanta. The two remark
able editorials from the leading Atlanta
papers which follow not only testify
that the law has been complete success,
but indicate that the liquor traffic has
been banished from the city forever. The
Atlanta Constitution is the most impor-
tant daily paper in the whole South eX-
cepting one in Louisville and two in New
Orleans. The Sunny South is the Har-
pers Weekly of the Southern States.
Neither of these papers have been a
special advocate of prohibition. The
Constitution was neutral during the pro-
hibition fight. and has until now taken
thoroughly conservative stand, being
rather inclined against prohibition as a
principle than in favor of it:
from tho Atlanta Constitution, June 81.
The election at which prohibition was
put on trial in this city is entitled to
place among great events. No election
of a local nature was ever before held in
city of 10000 people in which more was
involved. The changes proposed by it
were so radical as to be almost revolu-
tionary. Over 100 business houses were
to be closed. Nearly 800 men were to be
forced to give up chosen employment
| The city treasury was to be left with
$40 900 less revenue. Trade amounting
annually to millions was to be turned
away from the city. Many large business
houses were to be left unrented. OF
course. movement proposing measures
so radical met with the most spirited and
determined opposition. Many of our
best citizens regarded it with outspoken
disfavor.
1t was said that prohibition in a city so
large as this was impracticable, that it
would not prohibit, that the trade would
be injured, that taxes would be increased.
that the stores in which the liquor bust
ness was carried on would not be rented
for other purposes, that the same amount
of whskey would be drunk with the law
as without it, the city would only miss
the revenue, that it would be a death
blow to Atlanta's progress.
1t has now been IS months since the
election. and II months since the law
went into effect We are prepared thus
from observation to note results.
Prohibition in this city does prohibit.
The law is observed as we'll as the law
against other crimes.
Prohibition has not injured the city
financially. According to the assessors
books. property in the city has increased
over 92,0O0,000. Taxes have not been
increased. Two streets in the city,
Decatur and Peters. were known as
liquor streets. 1t was hardly considered
proper for a lady TO walk these streets
without an escort. Now they are Just as
orderly as any in the city Property on
them has advanced from 10 to % per cent.
The loss of $4,000 revenue consequent
on closing the saloons has tended in no
. 1purpp 4, innn,lp fhn ,tifN-'. in
any direction. Large appropriations have
been made. All Improvement companies
with basis in real estate have seen their
stock doubled in value since the election
on prohibition.
Stores in which the liquor trade was
conducted are not vacanl but are now
occupied ny other lines of trade. Work.
ingmen who formerly spent great part
of their money for liquor now spend it
in food and clothes for their families.
y perceptible increase has been noticed
in the number of people who ride on the
street cars. According to the coal deal
ers, many people bought coal and stored
it away last winter Others who had
been accustomed to buying two or three
tons on time this last winter bought sew
en- or eight and paid cash for it. \ lead
ing proprietor of a millinery store said
that he had sold more hats and bonnets
to laboring men for their wives and
daughters than before in the history of
his business. Contractors say their men
do better work, and on Saturday evenings,
when they receive their weeks wages,
spend the same for flour hams, dry goods,
or other necessary things for their fami-
lies. There has been marked increase
in attendance upon the Sunday-schools
of the city. This is especially noticeable
among the suburban churches. Many
children have started to the sunday
schools who were not able to attend for
want of proper clothing. The city gov
eminent is in the hands of our best citi-
ZenS.
The majority in this county in favor
of prohibition was only 30. such 4
change has taken place in public senti-
ment, however, that now there is hardly
"A respectable nti-prohibtionist in the
city who favors return to bar-rooms.
There are some who would prefer high
license, or its sale by the gallon but it is
remarkable fact that there i, no DISPOSE
ton to have the saloon opened again. The
bar-rQom has gone from Atlanta forever.
and the people with remarkable unanimity
say amen, There is very little drinking
in the city. There has been 10 per cent
falling off in the number of arrests. not
Withstandihg there has been rigid inter-
probation of the law under which the
arrests are made. Formerly. ii a man
) was sober enough to walk home he was
not moleSted.
All these reforms have had a decided
, tendency to diminish crime. Two weeks
, were necessary formerly To get through
with the criminal docket. During the
present year it was closed out in two
, days. Our experience has demonstrated
, 10 Us beyond doubt that city of co.
600 inhabitants can get along and adj
vance at "A solid and constant rate with
OUT the liquor traffic.
From the Atlanta sunny south June H.
Mere assertion weighs but little. Facts
alone tell. The annals of history will
never perhaps contain more wonderful
revolution than that of prohibition in
, Atlanta. When the issue was first joined
, the advocates of the liquor traffic declared
that prohibition could never be carried in